Blacksmith Cycle

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As the 2016 model year approaches, we have some HUGE news.
We are launching some killer new wheel brands, available RIGHT NOW.
We'll preview 3 of them this week, and our final brand is...
Ursus Wheels, Italy
The scoop? An incredibly broad range of aluminum and carbon race wheels
Why ride em? Serious design, pro-tour heritage, and mega value across the board
Other details? Modern features with old-school touches like external nipples
Who are they? An Italian firm with decades of design and wheelbuilding experience
Bottom line? Add a dash of style and technology without breaking the bank
Click to continue for details on the complete Ursus road range.
2016 road wheelset range below, prices in CAD $, including wheelbags, brake pads + QR skewers. Disc-compatible wheels to be released soon.

MIURA T47 Tubular [also available in T27 and T37] - $2899

Pro team race weaponry, this is the highest-modulus Ursus carbon rim, for minimal weight, with carbon-wrapped hubs to keep mass down with monster stiffness

MIURA TS37 Tubular - $1799

New for 2015 is the TS series, a more affordable version of the T37 team edition with a lower-modulus resin in the rims but featuring the identical SKF cartridge bearings

MIURA TS47 Tubular - $1975

The TS47 is the all-round tubular carbon race wheelset, with a wide and rounded design for optimal cross-wind performance, and yet with a 47mm depth for race aerodynamics

MIURA TS87 Tubular - $2199

The tubular aero carbon wheelset for maximum stiffness and aerodynamics, suitable for long breakaways or triathlon / time-trial racing, with super wide and deep design.

MIURA C37 Clincher - $2499 [add $200 for carbon hubs]

The range-topping Ursus clincher series features Unidirectional carbon rims with a phenomenal heat-resistant braking surface and with choice of alloy or carbon hubs.

MIURA C50 Clincher - $2699 [add $200 for carbon hubs]

The most aerodynamic carbon clincher in the Ursus range, while still retaining enough climbing ability and cross-wind performance as to be suitable for everyday use.

MIURA CE38 / CE58 Clincher - $1799

Maximum safety in two depths - 38 and 58 mm - UD carbon body bonded to a full aluminum brake surface, ideal wheel for clydesdales or riders who thrive in the wet.

BLAZE 37 Clincher - $799

Medium profile clincher with added width, perfect for all-around training and road racing and ideal with a 25mm clincher tire, for maximum grip, comfort and aero qualities.
We can order in the complete range of Ursus wheels, and shipping is FREE in the US and Canada, so talk to us today to get your dream wheelset!

Date

September 03 2015

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As the 2016 model year approaches, we have some HUGE news.
We are launching some killer new wheel brands, available RIGHT NOW.
We'll preview 3 of them this week, and next up is...
Alto Velo - USA
The scoop? Aluminum and carbon wheels featuring amazing technology
Why ride em? The tallest flange height in the industry creates massive stiffness
Other details? High-end hubs designed in the USA with unique labyrinth seals
Who are they? Engineers and racers join forces chasing value and performance
Bottom line? Rounded wide rims, great brake surface, sick value...and the stiffness.
Road Wheelsets - Pricing in USD:

Aluminum [Tubeless] Clinchers (AltoVelo A26) - $1150 - in stock

40mm Carbon Clinchers (AltoVelo CC40) - $1900 - in stock

40mm Carbon Tubulars (AltoVelo CT40) - $1800 - in stock

56mm Carbon Clinchers (AltoVelo CC56) - $1920 - available for order

56mm Carbon Tubulars (AltoVelo CT56) - $1820 - in stock

86mm Carbon Clinchers (AltoVelo CC86) - $2000 - available for order

86mm Carbon Tubulars (AltoVelo CT86) - $1900 - in stock

Free shipping across North America or contact us for in-store prices

We have stock of the following: A26, CC40, CT40, CT56 and CT86 [all dark grey logos].
We were lucky enough to hear more from Bobby Sweeting of Alto Velo, explaining the details of his killer lineup and technology:
"One other thing you could mention to your customers - those hubs aren't just designed by us, they are also cut by us. We have designed every part (rims included) and cut the hubs in Sarasota, FL with the tightest manufacturing tolerances in the industry - 50 millionth of a mm on every surface that touches the bearings. That's why they feel so smooth!
The rims are made in Taiwan by the same manufacturer that molds the Cannondale Evo. I helped develop the expanded polystyrene (EPS) core during my time at Cannondale, and we use similar technology in our rims (instead of the more common bladder mold). This give us the freedom to use a custom laminate in our rims with a ply orientation that changes depending on rim depth, so that it is specific to our spoke bracing angles. Having a rim that is perfectly customized to match the hub means we can perfectly resist those spoke tension forces and achieve 8% less rim deflection just due to that.
I didn't mean for that to be so technical, but that's our story in a nutshell! A wheelset designed as a system to create perfect balance and minimize deflection, with the best manufacturing practices in the world. Easy! ;)"
Our first set of wheels arrived today and we can't wait to get these out on the road!!
Decals available in 8 different colors, with disc-specific wheels coming after Interbike!!
Contact us today to grab your set of incredible Alto Velo wheels with free shipping across North America!! #AltoVelo #BlacksmithWheels

Date

August 28 2015

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As the 2016 model year approaches, we have some HUGE news.
We are launching some killer new wheel brands, available RIGHT NOW.
We'll preview 3 of them this week, starting with...
Knight Composites, Toronto
The scoop? Carbon wheels with the fastest aerodynamics in the industry
Why ride em? 35, 65 and 95 mm carbon wheels that will add speed, guaranteed
Other details? Incredible "trailing edge" aero technology blows all other away
Who are they? Three industry geniuses, including Toronto's own Kevin Quan
Bottom line? Zipp may have led the rounded carbon rim charge, and ENVE then carried the torch, but these guys have taken the lead with unique thinking that stands on its own.
Click to download any of the following from Knight:
Wheel Specs / Knight Composites Brochure / Procycling's Knight 65/95 reviewRoad Wheelsets - Pricing in CAD:

Custom builds also available on Tune, Chris King, or White-Industries hubsets with the below rim prices - check #Blacksmithwheels on Instagram for some of our custom work!
Road Rims - Pricing in CAD:

Knight 35 or 65 Clinchers - 20/24 H - $919 each - available for order

Knight 85 Clinchers - 16/20 H - $1149 each - available for order

New tubulars and disc-specific wheels are launching at Eurobike this week, and right now we'd be hard-pressed to recommend a better all-round wheelset than the Knight 35 clinchers, which is why we have them in stock!
Free shipping across North America as always and yes we can charge in USD.

Date

March 29 2015

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Olympia Leader Disc Ultegra Di2

Who: Since this bike was the first Olympia Leader Disc in North America, we figured a quick peak was worth it. Olympia have a 120+ year history of innovation, and now employ a team of 250 workers in their Italian factory. With road and MTB offerings, OlympiaCicli might still be the biggest bike brand you've never heard of, until now.
What: This Leader Disc was Olympia's first road+aero+disc offering, and promptly won the 2014 ExboBici Italy Innovation Award for design. Featuring a fairly traditional road geometry, this carbon aero bike would seem at home amongst your local Sunday group-ride sprinters..until someone notices the lack of brake calipers, and then #HOLYSHITARETHOSEDISCBRAKES!?
Where: We'll use this section to ask a query? Where...do you ride? On rough roads? In the rain? For long distances? If you say yes to any of those, consider disc brakes for your next road bike, period. Better modulation, better power, and WAY better in the wet. So don't think that disc should only be reserved for gravel grinders. If you don't need a UCI-legal bike (and even that is changing soon), the prospect of an aero-disc racer isn't so crazy.
When: Olympia released this model in 2014 and while it is still a very worthy consideration, we are even more excited to test the upcoming 2015 Boost Disc model, which promises slightly lower weight and higher rigidity. However, what we know for now is that this Leader Disc offers a more traditional look along with a solid-but-not-too-stiff ride quality, aerodynamic tubeset shaping, and the ability to run up to a 27mm tire with most wheelsets, meaning plenty of versatility.
Why: We see this model as a jack of all trades, capable of everything from light gravel grinding and Centurion-type fast-paced cruising, where the tire clearance and aerodynamics would both be key, to shorter and more regular weekly romps and races, where the Leader's stiffness and braking ability could shine through. Either way, this is a bike capable of handling a variety of ride conditions, with some Italian panache thrown in for good measure, especially in the form of the glittering UD carbon weave.
Frame: Olympia Leader Disc - Size XL - Col. 04
Fork: Olympia Tapered Carbon Disc
Groupset: Ultegra Di2 Hydraulic Disc
Wheels: Pacenti SL25 Disc rims on White Industries CLD hubs #Blacksmithwheels
Cockpit: FSA CSI-99 carbon stem and K-Force-Light Nano carbon compact bar
Saddle: 2015 Fizik Aliante R3
The bulky headtube leads into an aerodynamic fork and downtube, with lots of stiffness:
Aero seatpost, disc brakes and generous tire clearance for speed, safety and comfort:
Slippery tube shapes from extensive computer modeling helped win the Leader awards:I won't repeat in full my love for disc brakes in this space, but...they rock. Talk to us about ordering your own Olympia today, and stay tuned for more #OlympiaCicli model coverage.

Date

March 06 2015

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For you custom bike junkies, we will be posting photos starting at 10 am today from NAHBS 2015 - that is the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, in Lousiville, Kentucky.
Check out our Instagram feed by following @BlacksmithCycle for full coverage from the show floor or search the hashtag #NAHBSMITH all weekend on Instagram and our Twitter feed.
We will have all the latest from custom builders such as Mosaic, Alchemy, Crumpton, Zen, and many more...hope you enjoy!!
And since we aren't collaborating on any builds at this year's show, check out our NAHBS 2014 Mosaic GT-1, the design that started the gravel grinder category for the venerable Boulder builders: